Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
English belongs to a large group of languages called the “Indo-European Languages,” which includes most languages of Europe and some from the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent English language. The language, which was born in England, is now spoken globally, as well.
The English language is a very hard language to learn… probably the hardest one of all. Binomial pairs are quite interesting in the English language. A binomial is a pair of words linked by “and” or a preposition, like “loud and clear.” Irreversible binomials have a fixed order, like “bread and butter,” which sounds awkward if reversed. So, the order for each pair is fixed.
Take for instance these examples:
Bread and butter; in and out; rock and roll; black and white; fish and chips; salt and pepper; high and dry; spick and span; rise and shine; short and sweet; now and then, pros and cons; give and take; back and forth; law and order; trial and error; high and dry; wait and see; wear and tear; now or never; pros and cons; safe and sound; rags to riches; rise and fall; pots and pans; hugs and kisses; checks and balances; rise and fall; aches and pains; bigger and better; dead or alive; dos and don’ts; goods and services; ham and eggs; knife and fork; and now or never.
These binomial pairs are locked together in rhythm and meaning, and will never let go. They can never be used in the wrong order.
On another note, singular and plural nouns make for an interesting topic of conversation. Take for instance the following poem:
“We’ll begin with box, and the plural is boxes;
But the plural of ox should be oxen, not oxes.
Then one fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a whole lot of mice,
But the plural of house is houses, not hice.
If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn’t the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of a foot and you show me your feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn’t the plural of booth be called beeth?
If the singular’s this and the plural is these,
Should the plural of kiss be ever called keese?
Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet the plural of hat is never called hose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his, and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis, and shim!”
One should make every effort to learn something every day. Perhaps this is one instance and a reminder to never make fun of anyone making an effort to speak the language. As a matter of fact, one even has difficulty speaking it correctly oneself.
Life’s little instructions to make the day brighter include the following:
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Stop to smell the flowers or admire a sunset.
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Stop worrying what people think of one.
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Take care of one’s family.
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Give back — help as many people as possible.
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Admit when a person is wrong.
Lovely weather has been enjoyed by all in the neighborhood. Heavy winds for several days, and rains sweeping through on Sunday, bringing in 30° temperatures Monday morning. The weatherman forecasted a Tuesday morning freeze. All nature is a buzz…flowers are tipping their “hat” to the beholder, flowering crabapple putting on a “runway” show, and gold coins flung all over the meadows and yards. ‘Tis a beautiful time of the year!
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“The two things you can’t fake are good food and good music.” — Etta James
“Family has always been the number one priority no matter what happens anywhere else.” — Gloria Estefan
“I wear black for the poor and the beaten down, livin’ in the hopeless, hungry side of town.” — Johnny Cash
“May my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of living.” — E.E. Cummings
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” — J.R.R. Tolkien
Eating Easter candy is the best thing to do when hearing the “Talk of The Grove.”
Worship was followed by Easter dinners held in most homes.
Charles and “Pidge” Anderson had a great Easter with Lester and Mary Alice Hyre coming for dinner. A great visit followed before the couple returned to their home in Old Fields.
Willard and Judy Rader visited in the home of Benny and Linda Custer of Verona, Virginia, and enjoyed a delicious Easter dinner with Benny, Linda, Kevin and Malintha. Kevin and Judy celebrated their birthdays.
Colby Simmons, son of Justin and April Simmons, caught a nice rainbow trout at Brushy Fork. It weighed 10.40 pounds and was 26.5 inches long.
Steve Stump planted 300 tulip bulbs last fall and they are popping with color at the moment. Sympathy is extended to him for his aunt Elaine’s passing. She was 91 years old.
Saturday afternoon, Evelyn Varner enjoyed the short visit of Donnie and Judy Smith.
An Easter Saturday dinner was had at the late K.D. Puffenbarger home with the families of Beth McNulty and Danita Kiser, along with Phil Downs enjoying the specialties. They all worshipped together Sunday morning.
Concerns are for the family and friends of Richard Arbaugh, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, Marlene Harman, Armanda Heavner, Keith Hoover, Cynthia Hurry, Melissa Lambert, Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Sheldon Propst, Eldon Rexrode, Bernie and Margaret Sasscer, Robbie Sites, Kitty Waggy, the family and friends of Rene White and Ed Wimer.
